Hundreds of young people across the Scottish Borders will soon have access to trusted adult volunteer mentors as award-winning mentoring charity MCR Pathways prepares to launch its mentoring programme across the region for the first time.

Delivered in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, Developing the Young Workforce Borders and Skills Development Scotland, the programme will be introduced across secondary schools and further education settings, creating a consistent network of volunteer mentors who help young people overcome unique challenges, recognise their strengths and realise their full potential.

MCR Pathways mentoring programme will operate in Berwickshire High School, Selkirk High School, Galashiels Academy, Earlston High School, Eyemouth High School, Hawick High School, Jedburgh Grammar Campus, Kelso High School, and Peebles High School from January 2027.

The programme will also run at Borders College Tweedbank, Galashiels, and Newton St Boswells campuses.

Every young person has strengths, talents and ambitions.

However, some face additional challenges, including Care Experience or prolonged instability at home, which can make it harder to realise their potential and achieve their aspirations. Through consistent, relationship-based mentoring, MCR Pathways supports young people to build confidence, develop resilience and progress towards positive, sustained futures in further and higher education, apprenticeships, training and employment.

The expansion marks another significant milestone in MCR Pathways’ continued growth across Scotland and its wider strategic vision: until every young person who would benefit from one has a trusted adult to help them see their potential and find a path to a positive future. It also brings the charity closer to its long-term ambition of establishing a Trusted Adult Guarantee across Scotland, ensuring every young person who would benefit from consistent guidance and encouragement can access the support of a trusted adult.

The introduction of MCR Pathways across the Scottish Borders also strengthens the role of relational mentoring within Scotland’s education and skills system.

Working alongside Scottish Borders Council and Skills Development Scotland, the programme will help create stronger pathways into further and higher education, apprenticeships, training and employment by ensuring more young people have the confidence, aspirations and trusted support they need to succeed.

MCR Pathways will operate in 200 secondary schools, further education and community settings across 23 Scottish local authorities by the end of the next academic year. Since the charity was founded in 2007, around 18,000 young people have been supported by trusted adult volunteer mentors, with the organisation continuing to expand so every local authority in Scotland can benefit from its award-winning mentoring model.

Preparations are already underway, with MCR Pathways beginning staff training in September to support implementation across schools and colleges. The mentoring programme will officially launch across the Scottish Borders in January 2027, when young people will begin being matched with trained volunteer mentors from communities across the region.

Recruitment has begun to recruit additional roles in the region to support the partnership’s preparations and future success.

“Everyday, together, with our partners, we see the real benefits of the power of personalised relationship based mentoring across Scotland. That’s why we are delighted to play our part in rolling out this exciting new innovative pilot for young people in the Scottish Borders.” Says Natalie Smith, MCR Pathways’ Head of Schools for the East and South of Scotland. 

“We work side by side with dynamic communities, and Local Authorities like Scottish Borders Council and Skills Development Scotland to bridge the opportunity gap for young people through consistent, encouraging trusted adult relationships. No two trusted adult relationships are the same, they are bespoke to each and every young persons’ needs. These relationships empower young people to believe in themselves, value their own unique talents, build ambitions for their future careers – shaping their future fulfilling lives. That way, confidence is built, self belief instilled, skills are developed and engagement in learning achieved.” 

Councillor Julie Pirone, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Education, Youth Development and Lifelong Learning said:  “We are delighted to be working with MCR Pathways to launch a mentoring programme across our secondary schools.  Through a network of volunteer mentors, we can offer consistent support to young people, which will help them to overcome unique challenges, recognise their strengths and reach their full potential. 

 “Through relationship-based mentoring, we can also support young people to build confidence and work toward positive, sustained futures – including education, apprenticeships, training opportunities, and employment.  I look forward to seeing this programme launch and develop across all our schools in the Borders.”

Andrea Hall, Skills Development Scotland’s Area Manager for the region said: “Skills Development Scotland works closely with MCR Pathways across Scotland so it’s fantastic to see the programme launching in the Scottish Borders. Through this partnership, and the power of mentoring ,we will help more young people build confidence, recognise their strengths and take positive steps towards achieving full potential.”

The impact of a trusted adult is perhaps best described by the young people who have experienced the programme elsewhere in Scotland: “Before I had a mentor, I didn’t really believe I could achieve much. Having someone who listened, encouraged me and believed in me helped me build confidence and think differently about my future.”

Volunteer mentors say the experience is equally transformative: “I thought I was signing up to help a young person, but mentoring has changed me too. Watching someone grow in confidence is incredibly rewarding, and giving one hour a week has been one of the most worthwhile things I’ve ever done.”

The experiences of young people and mentors are reflected in MCR Pathways’ latest programme survey, which found:

• 99% of young people said their mentor was a positive role model.
• 98% said mentoring helped them become the best version of themselves.
• 95% said mentoring improved their confidence.

Alongside the launch, MCR Pathways is calling on adults from communities across the Scottish Borders to become volunteer mentors. People from all walks of life, professions and backgrounds are encouraged to give just one hour a week during term time to support a young person in their local school or college.

No specialist qualifications or previous mentoring experience are required. Full training and ongoing support are provided, making mentoring easy to fit around work, family and other commitments.

For many volunteers, mentoring offers much more than an opportunity to give back. It provides a renewed sense of purpose, a stronger connection to the local community and the chance to develop valuable communication, coaching and leadership skills while helping transform the life of a young person.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer mentor, please visit: https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/